Thomas Sénécal is stepping up to become Canal+ Group’s new director of sports.
The current deputy editorial director for motorsports will replace Thierry Cheleman, who will leave in June, when he reaches his 70th birthday.
Sénécal will report to Gérald-Brice Viret, General Manager of the Canal+ Group’s French TV channels and programmes.
Gérald-Brice Viret said: “Thomas is a very great professional and, since joining the group, he has demonstrated his ability to deal with all disciplines on our channels. Under his leadership, the Formula 1 and MotoGP competitions have set new records.”
Brice Viret also thanked Thierry Cheleman for his contribution to the Canal+ Sports Department over the last 7 years. Cheleman will continue to work for parent Vivendi until December 2021.
A graduate of the Paris Journalists Training Center in 1998, Thomas Sénécal began his career at TF1 as a reporter and presenter of the Auto Moto programme. He later contributed sports bulletins to TF1 news programme Journal before joining Canal’s sports editorial staff in 2009.